Vactor O. Connell, M.D.  

Dr. Connell Family

Dr. Vactor amd Mr. Connell with daughters Cynthia and Mary Phyllis, began medical practice in Bourbon in July 1947. Born in Odon April 9, 1913 Dr. Connell graduated from Odon High School and Indiana University School of Medicine in 1942. After a double, rotating internship and residency in Baltimore, Maryland he served in World War II as one of the combat surgeons on the flagship U.S.S. Cavalier, a naval assa ult force, man-of-war vessel in the Pacific.

Post war, he spent another year in surgical training in St. Louise, Missouri and Mobile, Alabama. During these years 1947-1963 he was associated with his brother, Dr. Paul Connell of Plymouth, in general practice and obstetrics, from which time he has continues to solo practice serving the Bourbon community.

Samuel A. Connelly, grandfather, was a graduate from Cincinnati School of Medicine and came to southern Indiana as a Medical Missionary in Civil War times. He served the area of Green [Greene][ county as general physician, surgeon and church lay leader, often conducting the service when the circuit rider was unable to reach his Sunday service. Most of his medical patients were reached by horseback and attended in their homes.

Vactor and Margaret Meyer met in Indiana University as students. Margaret was born to Charles and Phyllis Meyer, barber and librarian, and grandparents Louis and Lottie Felder, pharmacist, in F ulton. Margaret graduated from F ulton High School during the years that Dr. Oris Bowen's father, Vernie Bowen was fac ulty member and her senior class sponsor. Later she graduated from Indiana University School of Music. After teaching six years in public schools, she devoted her time to family and music in the church.

Cynthia Connell Davis graduated from Bourbon High School and went on to obtain a PhD at Notre Dame University. She no teaches at Rhode Island College. Her three children: J uliet, Heidi and J.S. and the fourth generation of this family to attend Indiana University.
J uliet is now completing her master's degree at Brown University; Heidi is completing her language requirements with Indiana University students in Strasbourg, France; and J.C. is in his second year at Indiana University.

Mary Phyllis Connell Bennett graduated from Bourbon High School and Indiana University and is presently working on her PhD. from Ball State. Her family consists of husband Craig Bennett, Kokomo High School Fac ulty, daughter Lacey Lee and son, Neal Bennett. Mary is an Ivy Tech;s Education Specialist assigned to Grissom Air Force Base.
The Connell family development and 38 years of association with the fine people of Bourbon, have been pleasant, we would like to do it all over again!! Dr. and Mrs. Vactor Connell Harris.

History of Marshall County Indiana Sesquicentennial 1836 - 1986 -, Taylor Publishing Co., 1986, Publication # 357 of 1422, Marshall County Historical Society on page. 129-30





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Rochester Sentinel
Friday, September 13, 1996
Vactor O. Connell, M.D.
April 9, 1913 - Sept. 12, 1996

Vactor O. CONNELL, M.D., 83, 705 N. Harris St., Bourbon, died at 3:12 a.m. Thursday at St. Joseph Hospital of Marshall County, Plymouth, after an illness.

Born in Odon to Orlando S. and Mary Elizabeth SENIFF CONNELL he married Margaret MEYER on July 18, 1939; she survives.

He graduated from Odon High School in 1931 and attended Indiana University from 1933-1938. Upon graduation from I.U. Medical School in 1942 he entred the Medical Service of the U.S. Navy as an assistant surgeon. He served in the Pacific during WWII aboard the USS Cavalier. The ship was torpedoed near the Philippine Islands and towed back to Hawaii.

After the war he joined his family in Fulton, where he began his medical practice. After a year he moved to Bourbon, where he practiced family medicine and surgery for 49 years. He was on the staff of the Plymouth Hospital and attended the First United Methodist Church of Bourbon. He served on the board of directors of then, Norcen, now Indiana Federal Bank of Culver for eight years. He was a member of both state and national organizations of the American Medical Associations. A 32nd degree Mason, he belonged to the Bourbon Msonic Lodge, and was a member of the Bourbon American Legion Post No.424 for 50 years.

In 1977 then-Governor of Indiana, Otis Bowen, named him a Sagamore of the Wabash.

He was a world traveler; he hunted big game in Alaska, Africa, India, Central America and Canada. He contributed hunting trophies to the Dehm Museum in Fort Wayne.

Surviving with his wife are two daughters, Mary C. BENNETT, M.A., Kokomo, Cynthia C. DAVIS, PhD., Cranston, R.I.; five grandchildren, Juliet E. DAVIS, St. Petersvburg, Fla., Hedi M. DAVIS, Cranston, R.I.; J.C. UTTER, Bourbon, Lacey BENNETT, Fishers, and Neal E. BENNETT, Kokomo. He is also survived by three sisters, Hazel HOLT, Bloomington; Treva KUHN, Oshkosh, Wis., and Betty DEMARY, Akron, Ohio, several nieces and nephews.

Services will be at 10:30 a.m. Monday at the First United Methodist Church of Bourbon with the Rev. Mark G. COTTRILL and Pastor Bonnie LIEBER officiating.

Burial will be at Pleasant Hill Cemetery, Bourbon.

Visitation is from 2-9 p.m. on Saturday and on Sunday at Rainstone Place (7900 E. 8th Road, Plymouth) and one hour prior to services at the church on Monday. Bourbon Masonic Lodge will conduct a Masonic service at 8 p.m. on Saturday. Graveside military services will be conducted by the Bourbon American Legion. Deaton Funeral Home, Bourbon, is in charge of arrangements.

Memorial contributions may be made to the First United Methodist Church